Towards the end of the combat tour, the ODA commander submitted a list of forthcoming tour award write ups and included Rodriguez-Torres’ name for recommendation of the Bronze Star.

“I initially received resistance with a comment of ‘a cook?’ We've never had a cook receive a BSM,’" said the ODA commander. “I replied by sending the BSM citation in which I depicted Sergeant Rodriguez-Torres' phenomenal performance, to include his tireless work ethic and courage under fire. After that, the award was processed without any further question.”

__________________
“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)… There are just some kind of men who – who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” - To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch)

“Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.” - Robert Heinlein

When I was in Vietnam, We had some cooks and Supply guys awarded the Bronze Star (for Merit). Do we know if Torres got his for Valor or not?

Quote:

“I initially received resistance with a comment of ‘a cook?’ We've never had a cook receive a BSM,’" said the ODA commander. “I replied by sending the BSM citation in which I depicted Sergeant Rodriguez-Torres' phenomenal performance, to include his tireless work ethic and courage under fire. After that, the award was processed without any further question.”

The BSM, in the pics, does not have a V device and the words used, makes me think Merit??

“Our base was repeatedly attacked with mortar and rocket fire on numerous occasions during our combat tour,” the ODA commander said. “During every attack, Sergeant Rodriguez-Torres remained calm, ensuring all foreign national personnel, to include assistant cooks and linguists, were accounted for...

He's good to go in my book!

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"I see that you notice that I wear glasses. Well, it was to be. I've not only grown old and gray, I've become almost blind in the service of my country." - General George Washington

"There are times in your life you'll be required to perform an exceedingly difficult task to the best of your ability, regardless of your perceived capability. Mental toughness is what will carry the day during these times. In other words, you suck it up and do what you have to do." - Razor

Any soldier that meets the standards should be awarded the appropriate medal.
I am certain that this young soldier is at the top of his CMF and is deserving of his awards.....excellent.
One thing I've always appreciated about the guys on my team, Company, Bn and Group is the way they took care of, encouraged and mentored ALL soldiers we were associated with.
Always had the support troops volunteering to go with ODA's/Co's for this reason...it was always a team effort.
You just gotta love a good soldier...God bless him.

Originally Posted by Under Siege – For Real MAJ Jim Gregory SOCEUR PAO

Remember the 1992 movie Under Siege with Steven Seagal playing Casey Ryback, an ex-Navy SEAL turned cook who saves the day as terrorists attack a U.S. Navy battleship? Well, 1-10 SFG (A) has their own version of Casey Ryback in Sgt. Javier Rodriguez-Torres. Although there may not be any Hollywood movies currently in production about Rodriguez-Torres’ exploits, there very well could be one day.

Imagine what the movie might look like though…working with a Special Forces Operational Detachment –Alpha (a bunch of Green Berets) and local Afghans running counterinsurgency missions in the heart of Taliban country. Sgt. Rodriguez-Torres, playing himself of course, is the head cook, in charge of preparing three daily feasts for at least 50 hungry warriors at a time (using anything available; turning it into a gourmet meal). On a fairly regular basis, however, he must also deal with Taliban fighters outside the perimeter, attempting to overrun the base and claim it as their own. The enemy is well equipped, with AK-47s, PKM machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and 107mm rockets.

In the first scene, the men of Forward Operating Base Kutschbach are gathered for their pre-mission meal as the sun begins to set. All seems quiet, but the enemy has other plans for the evening. Rodriguez-Torres helps his three Afghan cooks with the finishing touches to the goat kebabs they’ve prepared, making sure they are properly seasoned. Then BOOM!! The whole building thunders because a rocket has exploded outside…then another one hits! Debris falls from the ceiling and the crackling of gunfire erupts. Dinner becomes an afterthought and staying alive is now the only game in town.

Some of the base workers jump under their tables, but the gathered Green Berets immediately jump to their feet and head outside to defend the base. They flow out of the wire with partnered Afghan National Army elements to meet the attack head on. Meanwhile, Rodriguez-Torres, after first making sure his Afghan counterparts are safe, bolts out the door and into the line of fire to man the mortar pit. On his way, he hears another inbound rocket and throws himself to the ground. It explodes just above his head; he feels the heat of the blast, but incredibly remains unscathed. He and his mortar team quickly figure out from where the rocket was launched and then begin crushing that area with counter-battery fire. The enemy, knowing that a Special Forces mortar pit is a key location to eliminate, directs their fire accordingly. For the mortar men, it’s not the most comfortable place to work, but there is no room for cowardice. They do their jobs quickly and efficiently.

Cut scene to the rocket launch site, where mortars are landing everywhere and the Taliban rocket launcher is running for his life. As he mounts his motorcycle, a mortar lands right on top of him, and he disappears forever. Good guys 1 – Taliban 0.

After thwarting the attack, it’s back to the kitchen grind, because the guys all still have to eat, and now as they come back inside the perimeter, they must also conduct final preparations for tonight’s mission. Nothing stops just because the enemy decided to vote.

Hollywood aside, Rodriguez-Torres and the men he served amongst endured – no, excelled – during 24 separate insurgent attacks upon their base. The scene described was based on reality, yet was fictional, but from listening to accounts from the men of FOB Kutschbach, the actual attacks didn’t unfold too much differently.

Thus is the life of a cook assigned to an Army Special Forces unit, and thus is the reason Rodriguez-Torres was awarded the Bronze Star Medal on Dec. 2, 2010. While assigned to ISAF Special Operations Task Force -10 as the Forward Operating Base Kutschbach primary food specialist, he displayed the intestinal fortitude and personal courage necessary to succeed under extreme fire on multiple occasions. He did serve as an assistant mortar gunneryman during Taliban base attacks, and his actions most certainly contributed to the success of the overall mission. Whether he was in the kitchen, operations center or the mortar pit, he always gave everything he had. The life is certainly not for everyone, but it is exactly where those who believe like Rodriguez-Torres belong. It’s for those who believe that they are warriors first, and as warriors, they must be mentally prepared for any situation or circumstance…kind of like Casey Ryback…only for real.

Thank you to this and all of our warriors who stand and act rather than passively lay witness to the events that overtook them. Strong work warrior! Thank you for your service and sacrifice for all of us!

__________________Never do anything you wouldn't want to explain to the Paramedics.